Single-Platform Integrated Aquatic Species and Habitat Sampling System

ABSTRACT

Low or no disturbance sampling can be accomplished such as through a single-platform aquatic species and habitat sampling system with data integration and rapid processing capabilities that can address the need for sampling at variable depths over varied habitats, along with the simultaneous collection of linked physical and biological data. The platform may be based on a 24-36 foot boat, and may include a net mouth opener brace for an adjustable concentrator net and smaller drift net which may be attached to an adjustable sample chamber, perhaps containing variable mesh capture nets as well as cameras, water sampling equipment, and water quality sensors integrated with a fish finder, GPS, and other monitoring and data recording equipment. The depth of the net mouth opener brace and sample chamber may be adjustable using a depth control.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to the field of environmentallysensitive monitoring of aquatic species and habitats. The weaknesses ofcurrent monitoring methods used to determine status and trends in fishpopulations have been known for many years. Currently, monitoringtechniques such as trawls, tow nets, and beach seines are used. However,these techniques are generally habitat-specific and of limited range,among other aspects. Trawls and tow nets can sample relatively largeareas but are only effective in deep channels and cannot be used inbackwaters or shallows, whereas seines can only sample relatively smallareas in shallow water and cannot be used effectively in deeper, openwater. For instance, the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,341 isnot adequately applicable to deep water sampling. The system describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,350 does not adequately address the samplecollection needs or the variability needed. The system described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,722,196 is not adequately applicable to deep or open watersampling. The system described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,286,513 is notadequately applicable to the sampling of larger aquatic species. Thesystem described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,826 is not adequately applicableto the sampling of varied species. The system described in U.S. Pat. No.4,446,749 is not adequately applicable to the sampling of varied speciesand may not be appropriate for the desired sampling in shallower water.

Perhaps one of the most significant problems that scientists andmanagers have faced is the efficient monitoring of fish populations inestuarine areas. Current monitoring in these areas relies almostexclusively on trawls employed in relatively large, deep channels. Thesetrawls are known to have poor or unknown efficiency and are difficult torelate to habitat conditions important to pelagic fishes. Since trawlsare not suited to the sampling of shoals, shallows, inter-tidal, orsub-tidal habitats—which are increasingly recognized as critical habitatfor many sensitive estuarine species—beach seining is often used tosample in these areas. However, this method requires shore access andsmooth, sparsely vegetated substrates, which can limit the areas inwhich it can be employed.

At least four additional problems have presented themselves from theperspective of scientists and managers. First, current methods ofsampling have limited effectiveness in sampling larval species or othersmall organisms such as zooplankton and phytoplankton.

A second problem is that current techniques suffer from a lack of dataintegration. For example, biological sampling using current techniquesis often done by passing a net through the water to collect, identify,and catalog fish and other aquatic organisms, and then placing waterquality sensors in the water, waiting for them to acclimate, and thentaking a reading. This process precludes the simultaneous collection oforganisms and data regarding the environment from which they arecollected. Further, the employment of multiple sampling methods (e.g.,trawls for deep water, seines for shallow water), each over limitedgeographic areas and each with different efficiencies, makes itdifficult to reliably estimate basic metrics such as population size andstructure.

A third problem is that current monitoring techniques are costly andtime consuming. For example, trawls typically involve towing nets whichdirect fish and other aquatic organisms into a collection device whichmust be recovered to identify and enumerate organisms such as fish andinvertebrates—a process which requires extended periods of samplingdowntime.

A fourth problem is that current methods of sampling often causeexcessive injury or mortality of ESA-listed fish or other sensitivespecies, which can become trapped or entangled by the nets.

In addition to the four specific issues described above, a wide varietyof other problems exist in the field as it stands. These include, butare not limited to, sample accuracy, cost of materials, cost of labor,repairs, and environmental degradation, among others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the problems of prior systems and canincorporate elements such as: a concentrator net 100 and smaller driftnet 102 which can allow for the simultaneous collection of larvalspecies, zooplankton, and phytoplankton as well as larger fish andaquatic organisms; one or more sensors 106 which can record physicalhabitat data (e.g., depth, turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen,conductivity, phytoplankton level, nutrient concentration, totalsuspended solids, chlorophyll levels) or mapping data and may associatethis data with sampling events; and an accessible sample chamber 108,perhaps a live well or live box, which can allow for dip netting, andmay have one or more capture net slots or screens which can be pulledindividually for rapid sampling, and which also can have a flow-throughoption to allow for “hands-off” observation of ESA-listed and othersensitive species.

In general, the invention can involve both devices and process steps foraquatic sampling of aquatic species and habitats. The invention canrelate to a universal system that may be employed to achievecross-species and cross-habitat sampling that can be comparable.Sampling can be accomplished in a manner that may have little or noimpact on the organisms sampled, that may be cost-effective, and thatmay be applied broadly across varied species and habitats.

As can be appreciated from the above, the present invention disclosureincludes a variety of aspects which may be selected in differentcombinations based upon the particular application or needs to beaddressed. In a basic form, the invention can use a “push trawl”configuration mounted on a boat 110, perhaps a pontoon boat, with aconcentrator net 100 and smaller drift net 102 attached to a net mouthopener brace 112 (which can be any means of holding a net mouth in anopen position) at the front of the platform and to a sample chamber 108,perhaps a live well or live box, underneath the platform. Such a boatmay be manned or unmanned, and may have an elementally resistant cabinon deck to protect an operator(s) or any equipment from the elements,perhaps wind, rain, and lightning, among others. A concentrator net 100may have both a front end and a back end, and such a front end may bemounted to a net mouth opener brace 112 and such a back end may bemounted to a sample chamber 108. Such attachments may be rigid, and theymay also be adjustable, perhaps even immediately responsive, such as todepth control(s) 114. A concentrator net 100 may serve to graduallyfunnel samples into a concentrated size for sampling, perhaps withoutsubstantial interruption of horizontal flow. Such a concentrator net 100can even be a neutral vertical force concentrator net, perhaps applyingsubstantially no vertical force to aquatic samples. A net mouth openerbrace 112 may be mounted substantially at the fore of a boat (perhapsless than 20% of the total boat length aft of the bow) and may bevertically adjustable, including immediately adjustable, by a depthcontrol 114, perhaps a winch, a piston, a gear drive, a worm drive, or acrane, and may have one or more wheels 116 or planar drags, perhaps skidplates, attached at the bottom in order to allow for sampling at variousdepths and across a variety of substrates. When present, a smaller driftnet 102 may be mounted at its front end to the mouth of a concentratornet 100, and may serve to collect samples of plankton, microorganisms,and the like for separate purposes. Such a drift net 102 may in turn beattached at a back end to a tube 118 or any impermeable orsemimpermeable means of transporting such samples to a sample chamber108. A sample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, can beorganismically unrestrictive, perhaps allowing organisms to pass throughwith substantially no restrictions on their passage through such achamber. Such a sample chamber 108 can even be an untactive samplechamber, which, if paired with an unemptied concentrator net, canperhaps allow for meaningful data collection without ever handling ortouching aquatic samples directly. A sample chamber 108, perhaps a livewell or live box, can be accessible from the platform, perhaps via athrough-hull access hatch 120, and may be used for the collection and/orobservation of fish and other aquatic organisms. The sample chamber 108,perhaps a live well or live box, may be adjustable in depth withrelation to the bottom of the sampling platform via a depth control 114,perhaps a winch, a piston, a gear drive, a worm drive, or a crane, inorder to allow for fish and other aquatic organisms to be directed to asample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, without becomingentangled in an attached concentrator net 100. A sample chamber 108,perhaps a live well or live box, may contain one or more capture netslots which may hold one or more variable mesh capture nets or screensin series, which may be immediately removable to allow for rapidsampling or to allow for aquatic organisms to transit the sample chamber108, perhaps a live well or live box, and exit at the aft unimpeded. Thesample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, may also containone or more video cameras 122, water sampling devices 104, and othersensors 124 may be continuously monitoring sensors and/ormultienvironmental sensors, capable of continuously recording turbidity,temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, chlorophyll level,phytoplankton level, nutrient level, total suspended solids, and otherwater quality data in a wide variety of environments, including, but notlimited to, estuarine environments, shallow depth environments, tidalflats, deep channel environments, freshwater environments, saltwaterenvironments, and the like. Such a sensor can also be a multidepthaquatic environment continuous monitoring sensor, perhaps capable ofcontinuous monitoring before, after, or even during an adjustment insampling depth. A genetic material sampling system(s), perhaps anoninvasive genetic material sampling system(s), including but notlimited to an electronic DNA sampling system(s), may be present amongsuch sensors, and may perhaps be integrated into a sample chamber 108.Such sensors 130 may be integrated with instruments 124 mounted outsideof the sample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, includingbut not limited to a fish finder, depth finder, GPS 132, and othermapping and/or time-keeping devices, perhaps a clock, in such a mannerthat all physical measurements, video images, and water samples can beautomatically stamped with time and location information. A samplechamber 108 may include both biological and physical sensors capable ofintegrating their outputs, perhaps serving thereby as an integratedbiological-physical sample chamber.

A general object of the invention is to provide a universal samplingsystem that can be utilized in varied habitats and that is not limitedto only certain types of species. In keeping with this goal, it is anobject to provide a system that can also be used in shallow and morechallenging environments as well as more easily accessed environments.

Another goal is to provide a sampling system where data can becomparable across species and across habitats and so to provide ananalysis and data capture possibility where different species andhabitat sampling can be easily compared.

Yet another goal of embodiments of the invention can be to provide thepossibility of sampling with reduced, little, or even no disturbance ofthe species being studied. In keeping with this goal, it is an object toprovide a system that can be utilized in a manner that meets regulatoryrequirements for sensitive species and may even avoid any contact withthe species for hands-off sampling.

The present invention can allow for sampling across both shallow anddeep habitats using a single platform which can sample across multipledepths with improved efficiency and habitat sampling capabilities.

One of the broad objects of embodiments of the invention may be to allowfor a continuation of sampling when a change in water depth isencountered. Thus, a goal can be to provide an ability to adjust thedepth of the nets used for sampling. To achieve this, a depth control114, perhaps a winch, a piston, a gear drive, a worm drive, or a crane,may be designed for raising and lowering a net mouth opener brace 112 towhich sampling elements such as a concentrator net 100 and smaller driftnet 102 may be attached at the fore of the platform. This depth control114 may use pistons, winches, gear drives, worm drives, or cranes toraise and lower a net mouth opener brace 112, such as by 12-15 feetbelow the sampling platform.

Another broad object of embodiments of the invention may be to delivercaptured fish and other aquatic organisms to a sample chamber 108,perhaps a live well or live box, for collection and/or observation whilepreventing or minimizing injury or mortality during sampling. Thus, agoal of embodiments of the invention may be to prevent the entanglementof organisms which have entered a concentrator net 100 and are beingdirected to a sample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, forcollection or observation. To achieve this, a depth control 114, perhapsa piston, a winch, a gear drive, a worm drive, or a crane, may bedesigned for raising and lowering a sample chamber 108, perhaps a livewell or live box, in relation to the bottom of the sampling platform soas to minimize the angle of incidence between the bottom of aconcentrator net 100 and the organisms which have entered such a net.Another goal of embodiments of the invention may be to prevent theescapement of larval species, zooplankton, phytoplankton, and othersmall organisms once they have entered a smaller drift net 102 in orderto successfully deliver them to a sample chamber 108, perhaps a livewell or live box, for collection and/or observation. To achieve this,embodiments may include a tube 118 or other impermeable orsemi-impermeable structure which may be attached to a smaller drift net102, perhaps near a net mouth opener brace 112 and/or to the front of asample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, underneath thesampling platform.

Another broad object of embodiments of the invention may be to allow forthe linking of biological data directly to various physical data at thetime of sampling. Thus, a goal of embodiments of the invention may be tointegrate multiple methods of physical and biological data collectionsimultaneously. To achieve this in one manner, a system may be designedto integrate various sensors 106 and sampling equipment 104 located bothwithin a sample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, whereaquatic organisms can be collected and/or observed and attached to thesampling platform outside of a sample chamber 108, perhaps a live wellor live box, and to do so in such a manner as to provide a uniquetimestamp which may be associated with each sampling event.

Yet another broad object of embodiments of the invention may be tominimize downtime during sampling operations. Thus, a goal of theinvention can be to provide multiple methods for collection and/orobservation of fish and other aquatic organisms while the samplingplatform is underway. To achieve this in one manner, a system, such as acapture net slot, may be designed which includes a method for insertinga variable mesh capture net, perhaps an immediately retrievable variablemesh capture net, or screen at the rear of a sample chamber 108, perhapsa live well or live box, to capture organisms. A through-hull accesshatch 120 may also facilitate access to a sample chamber 108, perhaps alive well or live box, such as for dip netting. The system may bedesigned to allow for collection of fish and other aquatic organisms bydip netting whether a sample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or livebox, is directly attached to the bottom of the platform or has beenlowered to some depth below the sampling platform. Also to achieve thisgoal in one manner, a system, such as one or more capture net slots, maybe designed which enables one or more variable mesh capture nets orscreens to be inserted and removed, perhaps immediately, individuallyand in series near the front of a sample chamber 108, such as a livewell or live box, in order to allow for rapid, sequential sampling ofaquatic organisms entering a sample chamber 108, perhaps a live well orlive box. Finally, to achieve this goal in one manner, a system, such asa sample viewing chamber 134, perhaps with an accompanying camera 136,may be designed which allows for image acquisition of organisms whichtransit a sample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, in atransparent tube 118 or other impermeable or semi-impermeable structurecomprising a viewing chamber after entering through a smaller drift net102 at the front of the sampling platform, and an additional system maybe designed which allows for image acquisition of organisms transiting asample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, after enteringthrough a concentrator net 100 at the front of the sampling platform.

Still another broad object of embodiments of the invention can be toallow sampling to continue in circumstances where current samplingmethods cannot achieve regulatory compliance (e.g., when ESA-listed fishor other sensitive species are present in the sampling area). Thus, agoal of embodiments of the invention can be to allow sampling withoutdirect handling of fish and other aquatic organisms. To achieve this inone manner, a system, such as one or more capture net slots, may bedesigned to enable the removal of variable mesh capture nets or screensfrom the front and rear of a sample chamber 108, perhaps a live well orlive box, in order to allow aquatic organisms to pass through a samplechamber 108, such as a live well or live box, unimpeded. This system maybe coupled with a sample viewing chamber 138, a camera 122 which maycapture images of each organism as it passes through the chamber, and apost- or other processing procedure, which may include imagerecognition, spot pattern analysis, chromatoscale, or morphometricanalysis, including but not limited to the use of a morphometer 126,which may use morphometric models to identify species and calculatesize, weight, sex, and other characteristics in order to allow for datacollection without direct handling.

The following descriptions and referenced drawings are for selectedembodiments of the present invention. Naturally, changes may be made tothe disclosed embodiments while still falling within the scope andspirit of the present invention and the patent granted to its inventors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an image of a typical boat 110 with some of the basiccomponents used to operate one embodiment of the invention drawn ontothe picture, including a net mouth opener brace 112 for a concentratornet 100, and a depth control 114 for raising and lowering a net mouthopener brace 112.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of one embodiment of the invention. The drawingshows that embodiments can include one or more depth controls 114allowing for net mouth opener brace 112 and sample chamber 108adjustment, a smaller drift net 102 installed within the mouth of theconcentrator net 100, and one or more wheels 116 which allow the netmouth opener brace 112 to freely move over the bottom of the water bodybeing sampled.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a sample chamber 108 for one embodiment of theinvention with some of the process elements shown. The drawing includesattachment of a concentrator net 100, a tube 118 carrying water to asample chamber 108, the approximate location of a camera 122,representations of associated recording equipment 122 and otherintegrated devices 124, and arrows indicating the direction of waterflow through the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As can be seen from the figures, the basic components of the presentinvention may be embodied in several different ways. The presentinvention includes a variety of aspects, which may be combined indifferent ways. The following descriptions are provided to list elementsand describe some of the embodiments of the present invention. Theseelements are listed with initial embodiments, however it should beunderstood that they may be combined and varied in any manner and in anynumber to create additional embodiments. The variously describedexamples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit thepresent invention to only the explicitly described systems, techniques,and applications. Further, this description should be understood tosupport and encompass descriptions and claims of all the variousembodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applicationswith any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, andalso with any and all various permutations and combinations of allelements in this or any subsequent application.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate different approaches of the present invention inboth the design and operation of a net mouth opener brace 112 for one ormore nets 100 among other aspects. FIG. 3 illustrate one embodiment of asample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, and associatedequipment. In many of the embodiments of the present invention, thebasic concept and components of the sampling system can remain the same.Components of embodiments may include (as representative non-limitingexamples and possibilities): a boat 110, perhaps a pontoon boat, perhaps24-36 feet in length, which may serve as the sampling platform; aretractable or removable canvas or such elementally resistant cabin 140,perhaps for protection of an operator(s) and equipment in inclementweather; one or more motors 142, perhaps an outboard motor, an inboardmotor, a jet drive, or a trolling motor; a net mouth opener brace 112,perhaps at the fore of the platform, for one or more nets 100; one ormore wheels 116, planar drags, perhaps skid plates, or the like attachedto the bottom of a net mouth opener brace 112; a concentrator net 100; asmaller drift net 102; a tube 118 or other impermeable orsemi-impermeable structure attached to the rear of a smaller drift net102; a depth control 114 such as a crane, winch, gear drive, worm drive,or piston system for raising and lowering a net mouth opener brace 112for one or more nets 100; a sample chamber 108, perhaps a live well orlive box, perhaps with a capture net slot(s) at the aft or fore of asample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, for immediatelyretrievable variable mesh capture nets or screens, a transparent tube(s)118 or other impermeable or semi-impermeable structure(s) which mayinclude a sample viewing chamber(s) 134, an attached camera(s) 136,water sampling equipment 104 and one or more water quality sensors 106(perhaps including temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity,chlorophyll level, phytoplankton level, nutrient level, total suspendedsolids, and turbidity meters), attachment brackets for a concentratornet 100, and an attachment port for a tube 118 or other impermeable orsemi-impermeable structure attached to the rear of a smaller drift net102; a frame attached to the rear of a concentrator net 100, perhapsinserted into brackets on a sample chamber 108, perhaps a live well orlive box; a depth control 114, such as a winch, a gear drive, a wormdrive, a crane, or a piston system for raising and lowering a samplechamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box; and one or more sensors124, such as a velocimeter, fish finder, depth finder, GPS, camera,morphometer, chlorophyll sensor, phytoplankton sensor, nutrient sensor,total suspended solids sensor, video equipment, and/or other integrateddevices as desired.

The following explains aspects of embodiments. It should be understoodthat these are examples of types of systems and configurations that canbe used to achieve the broad aspects of the invention, and are not to beconsidered limiting as they are only examples of the many embodimentspossible.

As shown in FIG. 1, embodiments of the invention can involve providing anet mouth opener brace 112 for the attachment of a concentrator net 100mounted to the fore of a boat 110, such as a pontoon boat, perhaps 24-36feet in length—perhaps in a “push trawl” design. A net mouth openerbrace 112 can be adjusted vertically so as to adjust the depth of aconcentrator net 100. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a net mouth openerbrace 112, perhaps adjusted vertically by a depth control 114 such as awinch, a piston, a gear drive, a worm drive, or a crane. FIG. 2 showsanother alternative embodiment of the net mouth opener brace 112,adjusted vertically by a depth control 114 such as a winch, a piston, agear drive, a worm drive, or a crane or other system.

As shown in in FIGS. 2-3, embodiments of the invention may involveproviding for a method to contain and direct fish and other aquaticorganisms into an area in which they are accessible for sampling. Inorder to achieve this, a concentrator net 100 which may be attached onone end to a net mouth opener brace 112 (FIG. 2) and may be attached onthe other end to an approximately rectangular or other appropriatelyshaped sample chamber 108, such as a live well or live box, perhaps bymeans of an iron frame or a frame constructed of another suitable rigidmaterial, which may be configured to slide into a bracket or otherwiseattach to the front of a sample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or livebox. A smaller drift net 102 may be attached on one end, such as to aframe constructed of a rigid material, and may be attached in somemanner to a net mouth opener brace 112 or a concentrator net 100. Theother end of a smaller drift net 102 may be attached to a tube 118 orother impermeable or semi-impermeable structure which may be affixed toa sample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, on its oppositeend.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, embodiments of the invention can includeproviding through-hull access, perhaps through a hatch 120, such as tosample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, located underneatha boat 110, perhaps a pontoon boat. In some cases, it may be desirableto lower a sample chamber 108, such as a live well or live box, to somedepth, perhaps up to 12-15 feet or more below the bottom of the samplingplatform, in order to minimize entanglement of fish and other aquaticorganisms in a concentrator net 100. FIG. 2 illustrates one embodimentof the present invention which provides for a depth control 114, such asa winch, a piston, a gear drive, a worm drive, a crane, or other systemto raise and lower a sample chamber 108, such as a live well or livebox. This may be combined with a mesh material or other flexiblematerial attached to the sides of a sample chamber 108, such as a livewell, and the bottom of the sampling platform in order to contain fishand other aquatic organisms within a sample chamber 108, such as a livewell or live box.

As shown in FIG. 3, embodiments of the invention may involve providingfor multiple methods to collect and/or observe fish or other aquaticorganisms which enter the front of a perhaps approximately rectangularsample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box. The collection oforganisms may be achieved by various methods. By incorporating a seriesof capture net slots at the fore of a sample chamber 108, such as a livewell or live box, into which variable mesh capture nets or screens maybe inserted to impede or capture fish and other aquatic organisms,collection can be facilitated. These variable mesh capture nets orscreens may be immediately retrieved individually in order to alter orestablish the appropriate collection of the organisms. Provision mayalso be made to prevent fish and other aquatic organisms from exiting asample chamber 108, perhaps a live well or live box, when variable meshcapture nets or screens at the fore of a sample chamber 108 are not inplace. This may be done by incorporating a variable mesh capture net orscreen at the aft of a sample chamber 108. The incorporation of such avariable mesh capture net or screen, combined with flow through a samplechamber 108 from the fore to the aft (from right to left in FIG. 3) maycontain fish and other aquatic organisms within a sample chamber 108,such as a live well or live box, for the purpose of allowing forcollection by dip netting. Such a variable mesh capture net or screenmay also be removable in order to allow for fish and other aquaticorganisms to transit a sample chamber 108, such as a live well or livebox, unimpeded for the purpose of observation and recordation withoutdirect handling. Provision may be made to acquire images of organismstransiting a sample chamber 108, such as a live well or live box, byincorporating a transparent tube 118 or other impermeable orsemi-impermeable structure, perhaps containing a sample viewing chamber134 for organisms directed into a sample chamber 108, such as a livewell or live box, such as by a smaller drift net 102. Images of theseorganisms may be acquired by a camera 136, perhaps mounted adjacent to asample viewing chamber 134. Embodiments of the invention may alsoprovide for a sample viewing chamber 138 and associated camera 122 forimage acquisition of fish and other aquatic organisms directed into asample chamber 108, such as a live well or live box, by a concentratornet 100. The present invention may also provide for an image post- orother processing procedure 128, such as spot pattern analysis,chromatoscale, image recognition, or morphometric analysis, includingperhaps a morphometer 126, perhaps using such procedures to identifyspecies and calculate size, weight, sex, and other characteristics.

Also as shown in FIG. 3, the invention may also involve providing forthe integration of various devices in order to link biological andphysical parameters for each sampling event. To achieve this, thesampling system may provide for hardware and software integration of oneor more sensors 124, such as a velocimeter, fish finder, depth finder,GPS, other mapping devices and instruments, and video equipment mountedon the sampling platform with water quality sensors (perhaps includingbut not limited to temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll,phytoplankton, nutrient, total suspended solids, conductivity, andturbidity meters) mounted on the exterior or in the interior of a samplechamber 108 or elsewhere. Embodiments of the invention may integratethese devices and may allow for a unique timestamp and locationinformation to be associated with each physical parameter measurementfor each sampling event. In addition, embodiments of the invention mayinvolve providing for a method to collect water samples associated withthe collected and/or observed fish or other aquatic organisms. In orderto achieve this, water sampling devices and/or equipment may be mountedin the interior or on the exterior of a sample chamber 108, such as alive well or live box, in such a manner as to enable collection of watersamples, such as at the aft or in the interior of a sample chamber 108,such as a live well or live box, and/or an incorporated sample viewingchamber(s) 138. The devices and/or equipment may be integrated withother devices and sensors located on or in a sample chamber 108, such asa live well or live box, or mounted to the sampling platform in such amanner as to allow for a unique timestamp and location information to beassociated with each sample for purposes of linking biological andphysical parameters for each sampling event.

As should be appreciated, the various aspects of the embodimentsdescribed may be combined in different ways. Again, it is intended thatthe broad scope of this patent encompass all various permutations andcombinations since each may be dependent on or selected for particularapplications involved. The foregoing discussion describes the preferredembodiments of the present invention. It should be understood thatchanges may be made without departing from the essence of the invention.In this regard, it is intended that such changes would still fall withinthe scope of the patent. It simply is not practical to describe allpossible revisions to the present invention which may be accomplished.To the extent any revision utilizes the essence of any one of thefeatures of the present invention, it would naturally fall within thebreadth of protection encompassed by this patent. Any changes ormodifications made without departing from the broad aspects of thepresent invention are intended to be encompassed by this patent.

Again, different features were discussed for various aquatic samplingsystems. The features of each of the aquatic sampling systems are not tobe considered as applicable to only one aquatic sampling system butshould be considered as useful for all of the presented aquatic samplingsystems. Any of the mentioned integrated devices are examples and couldchange without distracting from the purpose of the integrated devices.While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts ofthe present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involvesboth sampling techniques as well as devices to accomplish theappropriate sampling. In this application, the sampling techniques aredisclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the variousdevices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. Theyare simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended anddescribed. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should beunderstood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also canbe varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing,all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by thisdisclosure.

The discussion included in this application is intended to serve as abasic description. The reader should be aware that the specificdiscussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; manyalternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the genericnature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature orelement can actually be representative of a broader function or of agreat variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these areimplicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention is describedin device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitlyperforms a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for thedevice described, but also method or process claims may be included toaddress the functions the invention and each element performs. Neitherthe description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope ofthe claims that are or will be included in this or any subsequent patentapplication.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be madewithout departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes arealso implicitly included in the description. They still fall within thescope of this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing both theexplicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternativeembodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like areencompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting theclaims for this or any subsequent patent application. It should beunderstood that such language changes and broader or more detailedclaiming may be accomplished at a later date (such as by any requireddeadline) or in the event the applicant subsequently seeks an additionalpatent filing(s) based on this filing. With this understanding, thereader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood tosupport this or any subsequently filed patent application that may seekexamination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within theapplicant's right and may be designed to yield a patent coveringnumerous aspects of the invention both independently and as an overallsystem.

Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims mayalso be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used orimplied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual aswell as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected.This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation,be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a methodor process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element ofthese. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosurerelates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may beexpressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only thefunction or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even moregeneric terms should be considered to be encompassed in the descriptionof each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desiredto make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this inventionis entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that allactions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as anelement which causes that action. Similarly, each physical elementdisclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the actionwhich that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, asbut one example, the disclosure of a “sampler” should be understood toencompass disclosure of the act of “sampling”—whether explicitlydiscussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure ofthe act of “sampling”, such a disclosure should be understood toencompass disclosure of a “sampler” and even a “means for sampling.”Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitlyincluded in the description. Further, each such means (whetherexplicitly so described or not) should be understood as encompassing allelements that can perform the given function, and all descriptions ofelements that perform a described function should be understood as anon-limiting example of means for performing that function.

Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in thisapplication for patent are hereby incorporated by reference and can berelied upon as naming or depicting or disclosing elements that may beapplicable to the present invention in its varied embodiments. Anypriority case(s) claimed by this application is hereby appended andhereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used itshould be understood that unless its utilization in this application isinconsistent with a broadly supporting interpretation, common dictionarydefinitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and alldefinitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in theRandom House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are herebyincorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed below or otherinformation statement filed with the application are hereby appended andhereby incorporated by reference, however, as to each of the above, tothe extent that such information or statements incorporated by referencemight be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this/theseinvention(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as madeby the applicant(s).

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim andmake a statement of invention to at least: i) each of the samplingsystems and devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the relatedmethods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and evenimplicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) thosealternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as aredisclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods whichaccomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplishthat which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, andstep shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applicationsenhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) theresulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) eachsystem, method, and element shown or described as now applied to anyspecific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatusessubstantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of theaccompanying examples, xi) an apparatus for performing the methodsdescribed herein comprising means for performing the steps, xii) thevarious combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed,xiii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency oneach and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented, andxiv) all inventions described herein.

With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, itshould be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid greatexpansion of the examination burden, the applicant may at any timepresent only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with onlyinitial dependencies. The office and any third persons interested inpotential scope of this or subsequent applications should understandthat broader claims may be presented at a later date in this case, in acase claiming the benefit of this case, or in any continuation in spiteof any preliminary amendments, other amendments, claim language, orarguments presented, thus throughout the pendency of any case there isno intention to disclaim or surrender any potential subject matter. Itshould be understood that if or when broader claims are presented, suchmay require that any relevant prior art that may have been considered atany prior time may need to be re-visited since it is possible that tothe extent any amendments, claim language, or arguments presented inthis or any subsequent application are considered as made to avoid suchprior art, such reasons may be eliminated by later presented claims orthe like. Both the examiner and any person otherwise interested inexisting or later potential coverage, or considering if there has at anytime been any possibility of an indication of disclaimer or surrender ofpotential coverage, should be aware that no such surrender or disclaimeris ever intended or ever exists in this or any subsequent application.Limitations such as arose in Hakim v. Cannon Avent Group, PLC, 479 F.3d1313 (Fed. Cir 2007), or the like are expressly not intended in this orany subsequent related matter. In addition, support should be understoodto exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but notlimited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United StatesPatent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of anyof the various dependencies or other elements presented under oneindependent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any otherindependent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whetherin this application or in any subsequent application, it should also beunderstood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broada scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent thatinsubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant didnot in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particularembodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant shouldnot be understood to have in any way intended to or actuallyrelinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have beenable to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should notbe reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literallyencompassed such alternative embodiments.

Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase“comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, accordingto traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requiresotherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” orvariations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to implythe inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or stepsbut not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elementsor steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive formso as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.

Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated byreference as part of this description of the invention, and theapplicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion ofsuch incorporated content of such claims as additional description tosupport any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof,and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move anyportion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or anyelement or component thereof from the description into the claims orvice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection issought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division,or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefitof, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws,rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such contentincorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency ofthis application including any subsequent continuation, division, orcontinuation-in- part application thereof or any reissue or extensionthereon.

What is claimed is: 1-146. (canceled)
 147. A method of sampling aquaticenvironments comprising the steps of: mounting a net mouth opener braceto a boat; attaching a front end of a concentrator net to said net mouthopener brace; affixing a back end of said concentrator net to anorganismically unrestrictive sample chamber; passing aquatic samplesthrough said concentrator net and said sample chamber via substantiallyuninterrupted flow; and sensing at least one parameter of said aquaticsamples. 148-264. (canceled)
 265. A method of sampling aquaticenvironments as in claim 147, further comprising the step of optionallyinstalling at least one capture net inside said sample chamber.
 266. Amethod of sampling aquatic environments as in claim 265, wherein saidstep of optionally installing at least one capture net inside saidsample chamber comprises the step of optionally installing at least onecapture net substantially at the fore of said sample chamber.
 267. Amethod of sampling aquatic environments as in claim 265, wherein saidstep of optionally installing at least one capture net inside saidsample chamber comprises the step of optionally installing at least onecapture net substantially at the aft of said sample chamber.
 268. Amethod of sampling aquatic environments as in any of claims 266 and 267,further comprising the step of optionally immediately retrievingorganisms from at least one capture net.